Today
High Court leaves CFMEU administrator with no more excuses
The failed High Court challenge to the CFMEU administration has cleared a path to cleaning out the union. But the administrator still has to walk it.
High Court rejects CFMEU challenge, paving way for clean out
Ousted CFMEU officials have lost a High Court challenge to the union’s forced administration, opening a path to sack more ‘bad actors’ in the union.
Yesterday
John Setka exposed to steep penalties after court no shows
The former CFMEU Victoria boss has been given 10 days to respond or face judgment over claims he tried to force the AFL to sack its head of umpires.
May
Building union turns to actors’ rep to try to reverse exodus
The CFMEU administrator has appointed the former head of the actors’ union to turn around a dramatic decline in membership at the union’s key power base.
CFMEU’s power base threatened as membership plunges
Leaked data shows membership in the construction union’s second-biggest branch has fallen by almost 17 per cent in the year to March.
‘Let’s make some money together’: Inside the CFMEU’s bribery scandal
Sometimes it was a foot tap, other times a little kick, but either way cash was passed under the table to the union boss.
Report casts doubt on Queensland plan to shrink project costs
The state government’s promise to chip away at state debt through savings made from scrapping union-friendly entitlements has been contested by a new report.
‘Tough decision’: CFMEU national boss steps down in shock move
Zach Smith, one of the last elected leaders at the union, has stepped down, saying he won’t take responsibility for decisions “that are not mine”.
Union bosses mark labour’s big day, by celebrating corrupt CFMEU chief
Senior union officials have unrepentantly backed ‘fearless’ CFMEU boss Darren Greenfield just days after he pleaded guilty to charges of taking bribes from a boss.
April
Revealed: The mounting cost of cleaning up the CFMEU
The administrator of the CFMEU has spent more than $4 million in seven months – mostly on salaries – but the figures have not been reported to parliament as required.
How Darren Greenfield played the union movement for fools
Some union officials turned a blind eye to corruption claims against CFMEU NSW boss Darren Greenfield for years. Now he’s pleaded guilty and members are out of pocket almost $1 million.
CFMEU bribery case breakthrough: leaders flag possible guilty pleas
The lawyer for Darren and Michael Greenfield told a court there had been a “resolution” to the long-running case alleging they took bribes from a construction company.
Deposed CFMEU official rallies union to vote for Dutton
The Coalition’s promise to deregister the union’s construction division isn’t enough to stop this CFMEU powerbroker preferencing Labor last.
March
Judge slams CFMEU administrator for resisting coercion probe
A CFMEU official allegedly threatened one owner on the Monash Freeway project that he would take his soul and rip his head off.
Financial Review wins Gold Quill award
The Australian Financial Review’s David Marin-Guzman took out Victoria’s top journalism prize for his work on the Building Bad investigation.
CFMEU asks court for more powers despite crackdown
The CFMEU has challenged new limits to its delegates powers, including making them subject to “reasonable employer policies” and a prohibition on obstructing work.
Forget US-style racketeering laws, a restored ABCC can clean up CFMEU
The key tools are police access to coercive powers and a new Australian Building and Construction Commission.
Victoria police reject Allan’s claim about CFMEU crackdown advice
Jacinta Allan said it was the acting police commissioner’s fault that she said a nine-month-old operation against thuggery in the construction industry was new.
Dutton backs US-style racketeering laws to tackle CFMEU
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton brands Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan’s response to reports of CFMEU and bikie misconduct on government projects as “a wet lettuce”.
February
CFMEU crackdown stymied by court challenge, as gangs evolve: report
A report on the CFMEU administration says ousted officials’ High Court challenge has deterred whistleblowers and halted plans to clean out the union.